Michigan is known for collegiate football and Flint’s diarrhea colored drinking water, which is allegedly okay to drink. But it’s also home to the Jim Crow Museum of Racist Memorabilia located at Ferris State University in Big Rapids, Michigan.
So why a racist museum? To support and encourage racism? Nope. Like other museums, the racist museum remembers the past with artifacts. Moreover, admission to the museum is free and supported by donations.
The racist museum educates those unfamiliar with the history of racism against blacks. “Using Objects of Intolerance to Teach Tolerance and Promote Social Justice” are the words displayed on the website’s front page. Education is the most powerful tool a man can use to correct civilization’s injustices.
Why can’t we discuss racism?
One major problem with racism is that people won’t discuss it. Political leaders, athletes, teachers, and people from all walks of life have gotten into trouble for making comments that someone thought racist. For instance, if a man said he didn’t date Asian women, it could be misinterpreted that he dislikes Asian women, which wouldn’t necessarily be true. Accused racists have lost their jobs and become subjected to intense scrutiny—sometimes unfairly.
If we are to coexist, we must never forget our history. Although racial relations aren’t as horrific as the “Jim Crow” days, much mistrust and racial tension still exists between blacks and whites. And if you don’t know Jim Crow’s history, here is a condensed version:
During the early 1800s, a white singer named Thomas Dartmouth Rice modeled himself after a slave when he performed. His act included him making up his face in all black, singing, dancing, and acting foolish. He spoke in a tone that mocked the way blacks spoke. For his act, he called himself “Jim Crow.” Though Rice died more than a century ago, his caricature has survived.
The Jim Crow laws began after the Civil War
After the Civil War, white society treated blacks like second-class people. Blacks abided by different laws which kept them in a lower social status. The unfair laws forced on blacks were called “Jim Crow laws.”
The racist museum is rich in history and provides knowledge that every American should know. For more information or to donate, contact the museum at (231) 591-5873, or by email: jimcrowmuseum@ferris.edu.